Although it has been two years since I graduated from NYU, I still find myself reverting back to my college tendencies. In college, I had a choice of whether to wake up and go to class or not. Even though with the tuition as high as it is at NYU, you don't have a choice and better be in that class which you paid approximately $250 a day for!
Yet, recently I have been feeling a rebelliousness against the routine inherent in the life of us 9 to 5-ers. Each morning is like that crazy birth control commercial with those synchronized swimmers singing "MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY..."; I wake up, watch my morning Christian devotional program, then head to the shower, watch some GMA and Today, get dressed then head out into the mean streets of NYC.
But today, I rebelled! I felt like a child winning against the big bad giant...only no one was there to witness my victory!
My 6:00 AM alarm went off and then the battle began. I debated rolling over and pretending that I was temporarily deaf, so then if my boss called I wouldn't feel bad about over sleeping and totally missing my work day. Then I realized that was too elaborate. I continued to wrestle with ideas---maybe I could use one of my get outta jail free cards, also known as a sick day---but quickly realized I want to use that at the most opportune time and this wasn't it! Finally, I decided on a method I had perfected in college, something I like to call Extended Wake Up.
Some of my friends had practiced the Extended Wake Up so well that they could shower and get dressed in enough time to have 30 minutes of extra sleep time! Today, I wasn't going to push my luck, so I decided to sleep up until the point of assured lateness......and it felt grrrrrrrreat!
I woke up feeling like I was in a musical! I jumped out of bed, ran to my window, threw back the curtain and yelled out "Good morning!!!!". I felt alive, like I had won the lottery or found 20 dollars! I raced to the shower and got dressed in record time! So quickly, that I had time to run to CVS to return the failed RIDDEX plug-ins from my on-going mice experiments. To my surprise, they didn't deny me a refund.....but said that they would only offer me cash because I paid with a debit card!
Just like that---BAM, BAM--two good things in a row!
God bless the Extended Wake Up!!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Of Mice and Wo-Men
Over the past few days I have had this guilty pleasure. At first I was totally disgusted at the thought, but now it has become somewhat of a game! If you live in a big city like New York, you know exactly what I am talking about----MICE.
Yeah, at first it took me a long time to admit I had one in my house. Mainly because I thought it was a sign of poor cleaning habits, but now I realized this is the life that city folk live.
I have contemplated getting a cat and a dog, but just wouldn't be able to put in the time necessary to be a good parent. I wouldn't wanna be some dead beat mom out partying and what not while my child is home, in the dark, running from little critters. So to that end, I felt hopeless.
Then, I came to grips with these home invaders and realized no one....NO ONE, will live off of me for free! Especially not anyone who thinks that can take liberties with my FOOD!
Needless to say, my house looks like one big boobie trap. I have glue traps with peanut butter, Riddex in the walls and mouse traps surrounding the fridge. To test out what bait my invaders truly like, I set up a non-threatening eating trough with a variety of vermin delicacies---candy, flour, cereal and peanut butter and watch stealthily in the night. I felt an animalistic instinct to pounce on the unsuspecting creatures while waiting there in the darkness of my apartment--sort of like a cat, but then I felt compassion for these often hated animals.
Nonetheless, of the past few days, I have arrived to my apartment anxiously to see what critters I have caught. For now, I have only caught three----most likely the dummies in the group. But I am waiting to catch the ring leader!
Yeah, at first it took me a long time to admit I had one in my house. Mainly because I thought it was a sign of poor cleaning habits, but now I realized this is the life that city folk live.
I have contemplated getting a cat and a dog, but just wouldn't be able to put in the time necessary to be a good parent. I wouldn't wanna be some dead beat mom out partying and what not while my child is home, in the dark, running from little critters. So to that end, I felt hopeless.
Then, I came to grips with these home invaders and realized no one....NO ONE, will live off of me for free! Especially not anyone who thinks that can take liberties with my FOOD!
Needless to say, my house looks like one big boobie trap. I have glue traps with peanut butter, Riddex in the walls and mouse traps surrounding the fridge. To test out what bait my invaders truly like, I set up a non-threatening eating trough with a variety of vermin delicacies---candy, flour, cereal and peanut butter and watch stealthily in the night. I felt an animalistic instinct to pounce on the unsuspecting creatures while waiting there in the darkness of my apartment--sort of like a cat, but then I felt compassion for these often hated animals.
Nonetheless, of the past few days, I have arrived to my apartment anxiously to see what critters I have caught. For now, I have only caught three----most likely the dummies in the group. But I am waiting to catch the ring leader!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Subway Wars
There is a scary culture in New York when it comes to subways. They are magical metal monsters that have a way of transforming the nicest people into NFL linebackers.
In my usual morning commute, I grab the free Metro New York paper and head down the flight of stairs to the 2/3 train. This morning seemed to be unusually crowded which made me immediately think that my timing was way off this morning and instead of it being 8:15 it was somehow 8:30.
Checking the clock in the newsstand, I realized I was right on time, but something just didn't feel right about today's commute, the fact that there was an ominous police officer the size of Andre the Giant didn't help either. Once I entered the station, the 3 train came roaring into the station and immediately the stampede erupted. Out of nowhere, children, teens, people dressed in scrubs, and bums came bounding towards the door eagerly awaiting for the train to stop. Scared I clutched my purse and newspaper and waited for madness to begin.
Like a flood, people came spilling out of the doors while we were simultaneously jamming ourselves into the train. Everyone was looking for the coveted early morning seat! This is like finding the golden egg on the Easter egg hunt. There is a feeling of satisfaction to anyone who grabs this seat and can catch a quick nap before their departure to Workland.
Today, however, the seating options were terrible. There was the usual teenager that was asleep and taking up two seats, the mother with two children spanning four seats, the overweight man who spanned three seats and the rude Wall Street man who grabs the seat you are making a B-line for. The fun part is the random outbursts that occur because of these seating arrangements.
The Wall Streeters are always the ones shouting "move the middle of the train" while simultaneously bowling over the shorter people standing in the entrance of the door. I guess that in preparations for the work they have to do throughout the day. The "backpackers" are always standing in the most awkward position, but aren't aware of what their bags are doing because their i-pods are way too loud. Finally, the "strippers" are the women that wrap their bodies on the poll, forcing you to do a balancing act since there is no way you can reasonably hold the poll without inappropriately touching her.
Luckily, today I got a seat and was able to watch the drama unfold, while browsing through the morning gossip.
After settling down to work, I noticed that Rhonda had an unusual day on the subway too. She proclaimed, "Girl, I almost got arrested on the train for telling a man off!" Anyone who knows Rhonda knows she doesn't play that! Though she is a sweet as pie, she can be as nasty as a snake when necessary. She proceeded to tell me how he tried to jump her in the Metro Card line and then asked if she was gonna yell at him if he took her seat. She then expressed how she declined from making a comment about his wife.
I guess this is expected in the Subway Wars. Some days you win and some days you lose, but today, I won and got a front row seat for the best drama in NYC.
In my usual morning commute, I grab the free Metro New York paper and head down the flight of stairs to the 2/3 train. This morning seemed to be unusually crowded which made me immediately think that my timing was way off this morning and instead of it being 8:15 it was somehow 8:30.
Checking the clock in the newsstand, I realized I was right on time, but something just didn't feel right about today's commute, the fact that there was an ominous police officer the size of Andre the Giant didn't help either. Once I entered the station, the 3 train came roaring into the station and immediately the stampede erupted. Out of nowhere, children, teens, people dressed in scrubs, and bums came bounding towards the door eagerly awaiting for the train to stop. Scared I clutched my purse and newspaper and waited for madness to begin.
Like a flood, people came spilling out of the doors while we were simultaneously jamming ourselves into the train. Everyone was looking for the coveted early morning seat! This is like finding the golden egg on the Easter egg hunt. There is a feeling of satisfaction to anyone who grabs this seat and can catch a quick nap before their departure to Workland.
Today, however, the seating options were terrible. There was the usual teenager that was asleep and taking up two seats, the mother with two children spanning four seats, the overweight man who spanned three seats and the rude Wall Street man who grabs the seat you are making a B-line for. The fun part is the random outbursts that occur because of these seating arrangements.
The Wall Streeters are always the ones shouting "move the middle of the train" while simultaneously bowling over the shorter people standing in the entrance of the door. I guess that in preparations for the work they have to do throughout the day. The "backpackers" are always standing in the most awkward position, but aren't aware of what their bags are doing because their i-pods are way too loud. Finally, the "strippers" are the women that wrap their bodies on the poll, forcing you to do a balancing act since there is no way you can reasonably hold the poll without inappropriately touching her.
Luckily, today I got a seat and was able to watch the drama unfold, while browsing through the morning gossip.
After settling down to work, I noticed that Rhonda had an unusual day on the subway too. She proclaimed, "Girl, I almost got arrested on the train for telling a man off!" Anyone who knows Rhonda knows she doesn't play that! Though she is a sweet as pie, she can be as nasty as a snake when necessary. She proceeded to tell me how he tried to jump her in the Metro Card line and then asked if she was gonna yell at him if he took her seat. She then expressed how she declined from making a comment about his wife.
I guess this is expected in the Subway Wars. Some days you win and some days you lose, but today, I won and got a front row seat for the best drama in NYC.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Sunday Night Football
When they say that Monday is the worst day of the week, I now know what that means. In college, Monday meant a light day of classes, a reunion with friends and sharing of albums on Facebook about the crazy weekend you had, but for us working stiffs, Monday means the dreaded work monster has reared its ugly head.
It's that feeling the kids get when the last day of summer is upon them and they have to return to school the next day. Luckily, I have fun-loving friends who live at home with their parents and can afford to be late to work! So Sundays have gained a whole new meaning for me.
After my usual Sunday worship service, I leave feeling like I just met with my therapist and had a great session. Therapy is good despite what everyone tells you. It's not just for the rich people that have drinking/drug problems; it's for us regulars too.
Here in my semi-decorated, studio aparment in Harlem, while enjoying my amazing baked ziti and salad, I get a call from Sean, my social life coach. His main concern is to have enough stories to tell his children once he finally decides to settle down and make something of his life. He is by far one of my greatest friends from school and always convinces me to live recklessly even if it's only for a few hours.
This Sunday, his adventure is football. Since leaving the South, I have yet to have an experience like I had in high school. The band, the bleechers the cheering have all been replaced with flashy tv effects and annoying sports announcers.
However, today was fun; the chicken wings, the beer, the humongous flat-screen tvs made for an amazing experience. I felt like I was in school again, not worried about tomorrow, but focused on today's fun. It felt like an arena; people were yelling, waiters were running and everyone was glued to the game! For a few hours, I forgot about Monday, and enjoyed Sunday.
That's all it's about for us young, working professionals. Finding the fun in life despite the coming of a new work week!
It's that feeling the kids get when the last day of summer is upon them and they have to return to school the next day. Luckily, I have fun-loving friends who live at home with their parents and can afford to be late to work! So Sundays have gained a whole new meaning for me.
After my usual Sunday worship service, I leave feeling like I just met with my therapist and had a great session. Therapy is good despite what everyone tells you. It's not just for the rich people that have drinking/drug problems; it's for us regulars too.
Here in my semi-decorated, studio aparment in Harlem, while enjoying my amazing baked ziti and salad, I get a call from Sean, my social life coach. His main concern is to have enough stories to tell his children once he finally decides to settle down and make something of his life. He is by far one of my greatest friends from school and always convinces me to live recklessly even if it's only for a few hours.
This Sunday, his adventure is football. Since leaving the South, I have yet to have an experience like I had in high school. The band, the bleechers the cheering have all been replaced with flashy tv effects and annoying sports announcers.
However, today was fun; the chicken wings, the beer, the humongous flat-screen tvs made for an amazing experience. I felt like I was in school again, not worried about tomorrow, but focused on today's fun. It felt like an arena; people were yelling, waiters were running and everyone was glued to the game! For a few hours, I forgot about Monday, and enjoyed Sunday.
That's all it's about for us young, working professionals. Finding the fun in life despite the coming of a new work week!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Saturday, The Day of Rest
Alas, the day has come. Saturday is finally here. The day of rest for the 9-to-5-ers. True to my Saturday routine, I am up at 7:00 AM (thinking it is Friday morning) in anticipation of my alarm clock awakening me from another crazy dream. It seems like my dreams these days reflect what I really would like to have said during work. Its a play-by-play retelling of the weeks events, most notable the awkward moment of the day, but it's Saturday so I will temporarily shelve the absurdities of work and focus on the day.
The streets of Harlem are quiet at this hour, but people are still stirring. New York is truly the city that never sleeps and as a young woman that's up by 6 and in by 10; I have always butted heads with him. WE definitely have a love/hate relationship.
However, Saturdays are when I am most in love with NYC. He allows me time to explore---the television shows I've missed, Central Park, random street festivals or simply walking around all day going from one adventure to the next.
Saturdays are my day to return the favor of sleeplessness to my noisy neighbors by hopping out of bed to turn on my i-pod to my Oldies playlist. This has been a family tradition for years....probably dating back to when my Grandma was a girl. Also, Saturdays are a day when we catch up with family. Oh, which reminds me that I should be getting my usual Saturday morning call from my mother any minute now......
Oh, by the way, my name is Alyce....(cellphone begins to vibrate..)
Staring at the nightstand, I hear the buzz of my cellphone and am waiting to hear the familiar , "I'll always love my momma, she's my favorite girl"
Yet, my stomach drops as I hear a different tune; the dreaded "you've got me workin', workin' day and night" signaling the end to my joyous Saturdays. The dilemma begins!
On the one hand I can pretend like I didn't here the phone ring at all.....yeah like this never even happened!
Yet, reality sinks in as I realize I am the "on call" worker for the weekend and if anyone calls out I have to come to work, no questions asked.
Muting the i-pod, I head to the phone and press the talk button.
" Hey Alyce, I hope this call didn't wake you."
"Oh, no of course not. What's going on Mr. Goldstein?"
"Well, unfortunately I have some bad news for you. Gabrielle won't be coming in today and I was hoping you would be able to cover for her. She seems to have.........a 24 hour bug. You understand. So make it there in an hour; I know I can count on my star player."
And with the ending of that conversation came the end of my blissful Saturday. By the way, Gabrielle's last name is Goldstein, as in the daughter of the boss, but better known as Gabrielle "Goldenchild" to us workers. She is known for the 24 hour bugs and will undoubtedly come into work on Monday without any residual symptoms of this bug......no sneezing, coughing or pale complexion.
Oh, well it was fun while it lasted.
The streets of Harlem are quiet at this hour, but people are still stirring. New York is truly the city that never sleeps and as a young woman that's up by 6 and in by 10; I have always butted heads with him. WE definitely have a love/hate relationship.
However, Saturdays are when I am most in love with NYC. He allows me time to explore---the television shows I've missed, Central Park, random street festivals or simply walking around all day going from one adventure to the next.
Saturdays are my day to return the favor of sleeplessness to my noisy neighbors by hopping out of bed to turn on my i-pod to my Oldies playlist. This has been a family tradition for years....probably dating back to when my Grandma was a girl. Also, Saturdays are a day when we catch up with family. Oh, which reminds me that I should be getting my usual Saturday morning call from my mother any minute now......
Oh, by the way, my name is Alyce....(cellphone begins to vibrate..)
Staring at the nightstand, I hear the buzz of my cellphone and am waiting to hear the familiar , "I'll always love my momma, she's my favorite girl"
Yet, my stomach drops as I hear a different tune; the dreaded "you've got me workin', workin' day and night" signaling the end to my joyous Saturdays. The dilemma begins!
On the one hand I can pretend like I didn't here the phone ring at all.....yeah like this never even happened!
Yet, reality sinks in as I realize I am the "on call" worker for the weekend and if anyone calls out I have to come to work, no questions asked.
Muting the i-pod, I head to the phone and press the talk button.
" Hey Alyce, I hope this call didn't wake you."
"Oh, no of course not. What's going on Mr. Goldstein?"
"Well, unfortunately I have some bad news for you. Gabrielle won't be coming in today and I was hoping you would be able to cover for her. She seems to have.........a 24 hour bug. You understand. So make it there in an hour; I know I can count on my star player."
And with the ending of that conversation came the end of my blissful Saturday. By the way, Gabrielle's last name is Goldstein, as in the daughter of the boss, but better known as Gabrielle "Goldenchild" to us workers. She is known for the 24 hour bugs and will undoubtedly come into work on Monday without any residual symptoms of this bug......no sneezing, coughing or pale complexion.
Oh, well it was fun while it lasted.
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